South Carolina State Capitol in Columbia

Democrats Choose South Carolina as First 2028 Primary State

WASHINGTON — August 15, 2026

The Democratic National Committee has officially chosen South Carolina as the first state to vote in the party's 2028 presidential primary, setting the opening stage for the next Democratic nomination contest. The decision gives South Carolina an early role in shaping the field of candidates and attracting campaign attention.

The DNC approved the calendar at its summer meeting in Austin, Texas, on Saturday, confirming a decision previously made by its Rules & Bylaws Committee in July. Nevada will follow South Carolina, with New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia completing the early group of states.

Being among the first states to hold a presidential nominating contest can have a major influence on a campaign. Early voting results can affect which candidates gain momentum, how much money campaigns attract and how much national media attention they receive.

The DNC said the new calendar is designed to give candidates an opportunity to compete and test their campaigns while keeping the field accessible to a broad range of contenders. Party Chairman Ken Martin said the schedule reflects the party's priorities and is intended to support Democratic efforts to win back the White House in 2028.

The decision is already drawing attention from Democrats who are being discussed as possible presidential candidates. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and California Governor Gavin Newsom are among those who have visited South Carolina in recent months.

The choice of South Carolina also reflects the importance of the state's Black Democratic voters. South Carolina has a large Black electorate and played an important role in Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign, when his strong performance there helped revive his nomination effort.

South Carolina's position in the Democratic primary calendar has been part of a broader debate about how the party should represent its diverse voter base. Nevada had competed with South Carolina for the first position, with the dispute also reflecting differences between the party's Black and Latino constituencies.

The Democratic Party previously changed its primary calendar ahead of the 2024 election. In 2022, Biden pushed for South Carolina to move ahead of the states that had traditionally opened the presidential nominating process.

New Hampshire, which had long held the first primary, rejected the national party's revised schedule in 2024 and held its contest in January as usual. The DNC responded by refusing to seat the delegates elected through that contest.

With South Carolina now officially first for 2028, candidates are likely to increase their attention on the state as they build early campaign organisations and seek support from Democratic voters. The decision gives the state an important early test in determining which candidates can build momentum before the primary contest expands nationwide.